茶，是中華五千年文化中不可或缺的一環。上至王孫貴族，下至販夫走卒，茶在中國人的日常生活中佔有非常重要的一席之地。自從唐朝的19世紀間，茶更廣受歐洲與美國人的喜愛，因而發展出興盛的茶業貿易。陸羽書寫茶經之後，更把飲茶文化推入藝術的殿堂中，也因此影響了亞洲其他各國如日本，韓國等地的品茗傳承。不僅如此，
茶與佛門的淵源更為久遠與密切，所謂「茶道」一詞，最早出自于唐代詩僧皎然的「飲茶歌誚崔石使君」中的詩句：「一飲滌昏寐起，情來朗爽滿天地；再飲清我神，忽如飛雨灑輕塵；三飲便得道，何須苦心破煩惱。」書寫茶經而被謂為茶道創始人的陸羽就是由佛門扶養成人。在佛教寺院中，對於往來的信徒、客人，常以奉茶作為待客之道，影響所及，民間亦將敬茶，視為普遍的待客禮儀。禪宗的許多公案，亦皆與茶有很深的關聯，如：因「吃茶去」聞名的趙州禪師，以喝茶來助人契悟當下的念心，意蘊修行不離生活，悟道必於生活之中；南隱禪師酙茶時讓茶水溢出茶杯，教人要將心放空…等，皆顯示茶在禪門中的重要地位，藉由喝荼所產生的不同境界來教導眾生如何專注於當下，不為外境所轉。
佛光山開山四十餘年來星雲大師提倡人間佛教，在本山和各別分院都有提供佛光茶與大眾結緣，在全世界都設有「佛光緣－－滴水坊」。是提供一個可以休憩、品茗，讓思緒沈澱，回味醞釀的地方。借著書香、茶香、繪畫藝術等寓教於樂，啟發大眾惜福惜緣的美德。星雲大師取名滴水坊，源自於「滴水之恩，湧泉以報」的美德，大師有感今生受恩於他人多，因此「受人滴水之恩，當以泉湧的心意來報答。」佛光山各地「滴水坊」的成立，主要的目的就是要效法大師的身教，推動回饋社會的報恩思想，帶動社會知恩、感恩、報恩的風氣，並以弘法、結緣、服務、度眾來廣結善緣。
此次佛光山歐洲各道場與國際佛光會歐洲各協會，主辦「茶禪悅樂」活動，以「日日是好日」為主題，由歐洲總住持滿謙法師和金春枝老師共同主持。
滿謙法師現任佛光山宗委、歐洲佛光山總住持，著作有《叢林所思》、《雲海在望》、《悅讀法華》。編輯出版發行過《佛門的一天》、《佛門常識》、《思敏健身禪》等，滿謙法師十餘年前就在大洋洲推動舉辦茶禪樂活動，這個活動成為當地最受歡迎的活動之一，也促進了東西方文化的交流。
金春枝老師專研教授茶道二十餘年，亦為正信皈依佛光山的三寶弟子，她將本身對於佛法的體悟以茶道方式展現出來，並且長期在佛光山世界各道場如大洋洲、非洲、亞洲等別分院跟大眾以茶結緣。她將茶禪哲學融入日常生活中，藉由喝茶這件簡單純樸的平常事，來安定繁忙社會中的茫然人心。除了負責臺灣茶文化的推廣之外，她亦受邀至世界各國如美國展現中華茶道的精深。她以茶道為主，輔以：茶具賞鑒、花道、書畫、國樂等相關的傳統古典藝術，讓參與者在品茗之余，亦如同參加了一場中華古典文化的饗宴。
「茶禪悅樂」讓中國傳統文人雅士彈琴烹茶的文化情境重現歐洲。讓歐洲大眾透過學習中國茶文化，以茶道養心、禪修靜心、促進生命與自然的交流並體會「茶禪一如」的靜心滋味。品茗的同時，亦搭配中國傳統的絲竹樂與敦煌舞蹈，讓處於煩擾紅塵中的大眾，於初夏時日，得一刻當下悠閒。
活動現場並同時有「佛門的一天」與「故宮茶畫」展展出。
For thousands of years, tea has played an important part in the culture and lives of Chinese people from all levels of society, from royalty to nobles and to commoners alike. Since LuYu wrote the World’s first ‘Book of Tea’ during the Tang Dynasty, tea culture has become an art form and Asian countries such as Japan and Korea were influenced to take up the tea tradition. From the 17th Century, tea was increasingly favoured by European and Americans thus the prosperous tea trade across the world was developed.
There has been a long and close relationship between tea and Buddhism. The term ‘Tea Ceremony’ originated from a Tang Dynasty poem describing the pleasure of drinking tea. ‘The first cup of tea gets me out of bed. The second cup of tea clears my mind. The third cup of tea puts me on the path to enlightenment’.
Lu Yu, also known as the founder of the ‘Tea Ceremony’, was an orphan, adopted by Zen Master Zhi Ji and grew up in the monastery. Zhi Ji studied in depth all the aspects of tea including planting, making, serving and appreciation of tea. Being nourished in such a favourable environment, LuYu was very much influenced by the tea culture and later wrote his ‘Book of Tea’
This book also brought Zen and Tea together. Growing up in a monastery allowed LuYu to develop a deep understanding of the traditions and pleasure of drinking tea amongst the monks. As a friend to scholars and monks, LuYu was able to popularize the Zen of Tea
In the Buddhist monasteries, tea was served to devotees and guests. Gradually, it became a polite way to receive guests in households. Many Zen stories grew up relating to tea. Zen Master Zhao Zhou was famous with his catchphrase ‘Let’s go and drink tea’ and he used tea as a metaphor to awaken people to the thought of the moment, to illustrate that Zen is life. Zen Master Nan Yan poured tea until it was overflowing to illustrate the importance of freeing our minds. All these showed that tea was highly regarded in the Zen discipline Through a simple act of drinking tea, people can be awakened to pay full attention to Now and not be distracted by external circumstances.
Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan Monasteries, has been promoting Humanistic Buddhism for over 40 years. The Fo Guang connection – ‘Waterdrop Teahouse’ has been established in every chapter throughout the world. Fo Guang Tea is served in every temple. The Waterdrop Teahouse is a place where people may rest, reflect and drink tea. Through books, tea, paintings and music, people can be inspired to cultivate the virtue of ‘Appreciation’. The name ‘Waterdrop’ originated from the concept of Gratitude. Master Hsing Yun is deeply grateful for all the help he has received from many people and believes that a small act of kindness must be returned in abundance. The purpose of establishing the ‘Waterdrop Teahouse’ is to spread the teaching of Master Hsing Yun, that a small drop of water received should be remembered and reciprocated by a stream , to promote the awareness of gratitude in societies, and to improve human relationships by service & Dharma..
The Fo Guang European Chapters and Buddhist Light International Association are now organizing the ‘Tea Ceremony in Europe’ themed ‘Every Day is a Good Day’. This event is presented by both Ven Man Chien and Madam Chin, Chun-Chih.
Ven Man Chien is the Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple in Europe, a member of the Executive Committee of Fo Guang Shan, author of several inspiring books. Over 10 years ago, Ven Man Chien promoted the ‘Zen of Tea’ in the Asian Pacific region, which proved to be the most popular event leading to an exchange of eastern and western culture.
Madam Chin, Chun-Chih, a tea ceremony teacher has studied tea culture for over twenty years. She is also a Buddhist and her understanding of Buddhism is displayed through the art of the tea ceremony. She has incorporated the philosophy of ‘The Zen of Tea’ into everyday life. Madam Chin believes that the simple act of drinking tea helps to calm the mind in this busy world. Besides promoting tea culture in Taiwan, Madam Chin is often invited to display the art of the Chinese Tea Ceremony in different parts of the world. Her main focus is the Ceremony, complemented by the appreciation of teaware, floral arts, paintings and Chinese music, thus offering participants the opportunity not only to enjoy tea, but also to be introduced to traditional Chinese arts and culture.
The traditional Chinese sences of people drinking teach and playing musical instrument will reappear in the ‘Tea ceremony in Europe’ offering participants the opportunity to experience Zen and Tea to the accompaniment of Chinese music and dance in the calm atmosphere and with the aroma of tea and congenial company. People can experience the Zen of tea and realize that Zen and Tea are One. Participants experience a delicate Zen of Tea culture as well as a conversation with oneself at a moment of calmness in the increasingly hectic and bustling world of Today. In addition, an exhibition of ‘Tea Paintings’ and ‘A day in the Temple’ will be held at the same time.
